Welcome, my children. There is a reason for everything I do. I have never postponed a Major League Baseball game with rain as a whim, nor have I made you sweat in a Texas or St. Louis ballpark on an August afternoon without a purpose. In this MLBlog I shall endeavor to share insight into why an occasional tarp must be rolled onto an emerald field — and help you understand why I alone decide whether a baseball game may be played, by Little Leaguers or Major Leaguers.

Let me begin with what just happened. For lo these many decades, I have especially enjoyed creating just the right conditions for the true love and spirit of baseball to be felt deep in the heart. This weekend I have deposited nearly 27 inches of snow on the New York City area alone (it actually was not a record; I deposited more several centuries ago). Red Sox fans in New England were given their share as well. Please understand that pitchers and catchers begin reporting to Spring Training this week in Florida and Arizona. Go there, or go there in spirit. Your national pastime is back this week, and I believe you will appreciate it even more now.

Fans of the East, enjoy your new snow. Fans in the desert Southwest, despair not that you have such continuous arid conditions. Fans in the Great Northwest, despair not at the perpetual rain. Rejoice that baseball is about to return, as sure a sign of continued life as my own seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter.

Remember Game 2 of the last World Series? It was certainly dramatic when Scott Podsednik hit a walk-off home run for the Chicago White Sox. I just thought I would make it a little more dramatic by bringing rain when he hit the pitch.

I also will enjoy your blogs, for you are my children. Enjoy the weather.